Russia faces growing crisis of military desertion - ISW
Photo: Russian army faces surge in desertions (Getty Images)
Poor treatment of soldiers by Russian military leadership and an inability to equip them with sufficient weapons are fueling mass desertion in the Russian army, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The ISW referenced an article by the Russian opposition outlet Vazhnye Istorii (iStories), which disclosed details from an internal Russian Defense Ministry document. According to the document, over 1,000 Russian servicemen, including officers, deserted from the 20th Motorized Rifle Division (8th Combined Arms Army, Southern Military District). As of April 20, 2024, the number of deserters exceeded the personnel of a battalion.
The iStories noted that the command of the 20th Motorized Rifle Division had appealed to the Defense Ministry for assistance in locating deserters. It also surveyed personnel from the 33rd and 255th Motorized Rifle Regiments of the 20th Brigade. They attributed the high desertion rate to heavy losses, failure to deliver promised payments, and the practice of deploying wounded and ill soldiers in assaults.
“These complaints mirror frequent Russian ultranationalist mil blogger complaints about the Russian MoD's poor treatment of Russian military personnel, and the alleged internal document indicates that the MoD is likely aware of the scale of Russian morale problems,” the ISW experts stated.
On November 19, the Russian opposition publication Mobilization News shared footage of soldiers from Russia’s 36th Motorized Rifle Brigade (29th Air Army, Eastern Military District) addressing Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. They complained about being sent into assaults without reconnaissance or artillery support.
Russian soldiers also claimed they had to spend their salaries on personal equipment and fortification materials as military leadership failed to provide adequate supplies.
Frontline situation
The situation on the Russia-Ukraine war front remains tense and challenging.
According to ISW, on November 20, Ukrainian Defense Forces made gains near Pokrovsk while Russian forces advanced in six directions.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that Russian troops were actively assaulting four directions.
On the night of November 21, explosions were reported in the Rostov region and Rostov-on-Don. Air defense was activated.
